Month: June 2018

If you’re lucky enough…

to still have your Dad

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My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.

Clarence Budington Kelland

I was thinking about fathers this morning and reflecting on what makes a man a “good father”.

There are the easy ones like my Dad where no matter what I did or said that I wanted to do, he was always incredibly supportive and never failed to make me feel that I would succeed. 

My father passed away far too soon and often seeing interactions between fathers and their children makes me feel envious and I think to myself I hope they know how lucky they are.

My father worked a lot when we were young but looking back on childhood memories, we always had the best family excursions. We didn’t do the Disney trips or Maui holidays, we camped, canoed, fished, and sailed. I’m sure that’s where my passion for photography began.

Looking at the men in my life who are fathers I see men who take time for their children and ones who make personal sacrifices for their children. I’m not sure that’s always recognized.

I hope that I let my father know often enough just how much he meant to me and I hope that if you’re among the lucky ones who still have a Dad, that you’ll take the time to let them know too.

Happy Father’s day!

 

In the darkness..

try to shed a little light.

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When you start hiding things away, that’s when the darkness creeps up. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Steve Kazee

This week’s events hit a little too close to home for me.

 While I certainly had no immediate connection to either Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade other than reading his books or carrying her handbag, their suicides did get me thinking about my own brother who many years ago, chose the same path.

Starting today, there is never a better time to start listening to people.

When you ask how are you…really listen to the response.

If someone bites your head off and it doesn’t exactly connect with the situation…look a little deeper.

A little compassion goes a long way and as one of those people who can lock up internal struggles very well, just know that your actions can make a difference.

Happy birthday, Trevor. 

I hope that you know how much you are loved and missed.

Today’s a great day…

to take a few stairs.

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The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps-we must step up the stairs.

Vance Havner

One of the things that I’ve been working on is living in the moment. For me that means appreciating what’s good in my life and not dwelling on those things that could be better.

Those things will resolve over time and as is life, others will no doubt come in their place.

I’m trying to remember that I have a choice to make each day. I can be happy and content or I can dwell in those things that are beyond my control.

Today looks like a great day to take a few stairs…